Well Water in Morris County: What to Test and Why

High Risk
Testing Strongly Recommended 54124 samples analyzed
Top Concerns in This County
Manganese Pfoa Radon

Why This Happens Here

Groundwater in Morris County contains manganese, iron, radon, uranium, lead, chloride, and PFOA and PFOS compounds at levels that exceed EPA health standards. These contaminants require attention from well owners in this county.

The crystalline rock beneath Morris County naturally releases manganese and iron as water moves through it over time. Radon and uranium come from the rock itself as it slowly breaks down. Chloride and PFOA enter groundwater from road salt, de-icing products, and industrial sources in this developed area. Lead leaches from pipes and fixtures in older systems.

Groundwater in Morris County shows moderate iron content from the minerals in the bedrock. The crystalline rock here contains iron-bearing minerals that dissolve slowly into water passing through fractures and pores. This iron concentration is common across wells throughout the county, varying from well to well depending on depth and local rock type.

What This Means for You

Wells in Morris County commonly contain chloride, iron, manganese, PFOS, lead, radon, and uranium at levels above EPA health standards. Exposure to these contaminants can damage your kidneys and liver, affect your blood pressure, harm your bones, and increase cancer risk. Lead is especially dangerous for children and can affect brain development. Radon and uranium both carry radiation risks, while PFOS and PFOA are forever chemicals that build up in your body over time.

County well water with moderate iron levels can stain your clothes, dishes, and plumbing fixtures with orange or brown marks. Iron can also give water a metallic taste. While the mineral levels in this county are generally low for hardness, any iron present will require attention to keep your home and laundry clean.

We recommend a comprehensive water test to find out exactly what is in your well, since every well is different and yours could have higher or lower levels than the county average. Testing is the only way to know what needs treatment. A full metals and minerals panel typically costs between two hundred and four hundred dollars. Water treatment options like reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or activated carbon filters can address multiple contaminants depending on what testing shows.

Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.

Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →

Contaminant Detection Data

Contaminant Samples % Above MCL Distribution Confidence Risk
Manganese 10 78%
Low High
PFOA ⓘ municipal 264 65%
High High
Radon 40 52%
Moderate High
Iron 41 50%
Moderate High
PFOS ⓘ municipal 264 26%
High High
Uranium 7 17%
Low High
Lead 80 10%
Moderate Moderate
Chloride 65 6%
Moderate Moderate
Sulfate 20 0%
Moderate Low
Fluoride 8 0%
Low Low
HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal 264 0%
High Safe
Arsenic 3 0%
Low Low
Nitrite 3 0%
Low Low
PFNA ⓘ municipal 264 0%
High Safe
PFHxS ⓘ municipal 264 0%
High Low
Hardness 1 Low Safe
Fecal Coliform 1 0%
Low Safe
Nitrate 1 0%
Low Safe
pH 15 Moderate Low
Sodium 94 Moderate Low
Total Coliform 1 0%
Low Safe
PFBS ⓘ municipal 264
High Low
Nitrite 1 0%
Low Safe
E. coli 1 0%
Low Safe

MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.

Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.

Order a Tap Score Test →

Population Health Context

Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.

5.7%
Heart Disease Rate
(state avg: 5.8%)
7.2%
Cancer Prevalence
(state avg: 6.2%)
2.5%
Kidney Disease Rate
(state avg: 2.7%)

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